Where did this show come from?? This is one snappy, crisp performance that never loses momentum. Every song satisfies, and many have some of that special sauce that takes them the extra mile. Jerry is right on the money throughout, with high-quality jamming, playful noodles between songs, and focused, deliberate vocal deliveries. There’s not a single boring song or lyrical train wreck to be found, uncommon for ‘95 gigs. The first set has a bit of every tempo, vibe, and genre; a real showcase of the folky guitar tone Garcia had working in the era.

The second set is even more impressive. Jerry’s solos in Iko Iko are clever and comical. Captain Trips then absolutely roasts his last Playing in the Band on a spit, with spiraling rolls and licks feasting on the frantic drumming and Lesh’s rumbling bassline. Weir bubbles with sagging chords, and Welnick weaves around above the fray with quick strings of notes to season the psychedelic stew. The jam wanders through 2 or 3 different moods and spaces. They perform the old magic trick of mashing the song down, causing the music to appear like it’s flattening or melting, and instead of leaving the reprise for later in the show or tour, they smash into that last chorus and rock on out. The music playing the band as the band’s playing Playing in the Band one last time. Crazy Fingers achieves that hazy yet bright duality that’s so unique to the song. It’s a slow tune, but it’s difficult to perform, and they did damn well with it here. The outro jam really lifts off, and they segue neatly from the Blues for Allah classic into Corrina, which stretches into a much longer, lazier jam. The Drums > Space segment is both tribal and futuristic, combining rocket ship engines, primitive drumming, pipes, and glittering MIDI. Rather than rush into the next song, the whole band lingers there for several minutes at the end of Space, and then they fly into a scorching, and I mean scorching, GDTRFB, with great drumming from Kreutzmann and fingerpicking from Jerry. Post-Space is just 3 straight rockers, and Black Muddy River, which you can apparently only hear on AUD tapes, is a sad and mortal encore in contrast.

The missing encore is one of a few minor flaws with this soundboard recording. There’s some clear overlap where “Drums” really has the last chunk of Corrina, much of which is already on the previous track. There are also a couple moments in the second set where there’s a few brief seconds of flat silence in the middle of a song. Evidently some strange dropout or technical gremlin in the SBD. It’s also slightly sped up and pitched up compared to the AUD tapes. Collectively, these issues drop the recording a star, but otherwise this is a fine one to listen! On paper it looks like an average setlist, but it’s played terrifically. Don’t let the context of the tour affect your impression of the show like it has for many other reviewers. If you just hit play and listen, you’ll be delighted to find that the notoriety and finality of Summer ‘95 really doesn’t have anything to do with the outstanding quality of the 2 and ½-hour performance that the Grateful Dead put in on 7/5/95. Great stuff!

Of course I loved it, but when I want to listen to the Dead I listen to shows from the 70s

I just read the "5 star" review for this 95'er. When the "clear" liquid at a Dead show means vodka, then the show is over. And it was, only days later for the Band and just over a month to go for one worn out, over spent and jaded Jerome John Garcia. The 5 stars were all you were seeing after the cop's batons nailed you on your noggin'.....

This show was a pretty good show they all seemed to be doing pretty good and even phill sing,which is becomeing more regular.There is some type of hiss that last thru the first set.Its not to noticeable unless its turned up loud or on the quite parts its not to bad durning the second set i didnt hear it,then but I only had it turned up half way.I give the show a 3/5 recording cuz the his in the first set and 4/5 for Chemistry since they all sounded pretty good.I really dont like to give a rating for set list cuz everyone has there own favorite songs.I think the second set was not that great thou,Set wise,My Opinion but it still was a Pretty good show.So Over all I guess I give it a 4

My buddy called the openers, we met a chick from back stage during some song. Needed water and someone gave me a clear liquid which happened to be straight vodka even though i didn't drink.
memories... This night of the tour besides albany second night are the nights I remember, not necessarily musically but fun wise!!!

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